Present there on invitation were Kim Yong Il, alternate member of the Political Bureau and secretary of the Central Committee of the WPK, and other officials of the C.C., the WPK.

Jose Manuel Galego Montano in his speech at the reception referred to the fact that the Conference of the WPK reelected General Secretary Kim Jong Il as general secretary of the WPK and its 65th birthday was grandly celebrated.

He recalled that Fidel Castro Ruz made public articles this year denouncing the moves of the U.S. and the south Korean puppet forces to stifle the DPRK and expressing solidarity with the Korean people in their struggle to build socialism, defend sovereignty and achieve the reunification of the country.

On behalf of the party, government and people of Cuba, he expressed sincere hope that the Korean people would fling open the gate to a thriving nation and enjoy happy life and the WPK grow stronger.

Kim Yong Il who spoke next at the reception expressed deep gratitude to the Communist Party and people of Cuba for extending positive support and solidarity to the WPK and the Korean people in their struggle to build a thriving socialist nation and achieve the independent reunification of the country under the Songun revolutionary leadership of Kim Jong Il.

He noted that the Korean people are sincerely rejoiced as their own over the successes made by Cuba under the leadership of Fidel Castro Ruz and Raul Castro Ruz.

He expressed belief that the friendly relations between the two parties and peoples forged and developed in the anti-imperialist and anti-U.S. struggle and in the efforts to build socialism would grow stronger thanks to their concerted efforts.